Copying your saved game file to another directory, to circumvent auto-deletion. This is usually done in RPGs like Rogue that automatically delete the file as a form of "perma-death" so that you are required to start over every time you die.
"I used savescumming to get to the Amulet of Yendor just to prove to myself that it was possible. Someday I'll beat it for real."
by kermiter April 28, 2007
This is a way of cheating at video games. Basically, the player backs up game files (usually savegame files) and then restores them after dying. The result is that the player never really dies and beats the game much more quickly, taking much of the fun out of the game. As far as I know, this originated in the rec.games.roguelike.nethack newsgroup.
From the rec.games.rougelike.nethack newsgroup: "You should be aware, however, that there is a general consensus that savescumming is actually detrimental to the development of proper playing skills"
by Doctor Fishopoulis June 22, 2005